NOTES ON THE ALLEN FAMILY

OF ST. JAMES PARISH, LOUISIANA

By Camille Allen Jones

Camille Allen Jones

[There are a few factual discrepancies in this account. In one of them, Camille lists her father, George Allen, as having been a first lieutenant in the Civil War. This is almost certainly not true. African-American Civil Soldiers were not allowed to obtain the rank of commissioned officers. According to the service records obtained by Betty Reid Soskin, one of the family historians, George Allen served as a sergeant. Since his service took place many years before Camille's birth, the discrepancy is both minor and understandable. Other factual discrepancies that can be verified by documentation, such as dates and place spellings, have been noted in italics, with Camille's original left intact.

[Camille also includes some personal opinions of some family members...notably in-laws...that are not especially, well, flattering. Since the persons she speaks of are no longer living, we have included her remarks without editing, with the understanding that they are presented as her opinion and not necessarily as fact, and with the hope that they don't make anybody too mad. And just in case it does, we'll light a couple of candles at the family altar, especially for the ones who have gone away.]

Leontine Breaud Allen

Born August 29th, 1851 in St. James Parish. Her mother, Celestine Landry, had four daughters and one son. Leontine died January 31st, 1948.

Leontine Braud Allen

George J. Allen

Estimated birthdate 1831. Married Leontine at 19 years old in St. James Catholic Church March 19th, St. Joseph day, about 1870. My father was a soldier, very firm and aristocratic. He became a first lieutenant in the Civil War. After serving in the Army he farmed, raising sugar cane and other vegetables. He was a chef cook on the Steamboats that plowed the Mississippi River.

Mother was a housewife endowed with a scientific mind about health and use of medicine and original ideas of her own. She worked with the Parish Doctor Numa Hymel [editor's note: pronounced ee-mel]. She was a good cook, gardener and tailor, very firm and humorous.

Of this Union 5 sons and 8 daughters were born; George, Samuel, Albert, Ellis and Louis. Daughters, Emily, Isabella, Florence, Louise, Celestine, Alice, Leontine and Camille.

George married very young, had problems of his own. His first wife died and left a daughter 6 weeks old that Mother cared for until she married. She became our sister.

George Allen III

Samuel was a great sportsman, horse racing and any sort of gambling. Married and had 3 daughters and 2 sons and educated them. Leonard, George, Camille, Vivian and Gertrude all reside in New Orleans, LA. He was a jovial person.

George Sr.'s daughter, Lottie, whom Mother had raised married Dorson Charbonnet, had 3 daughters. Dorson died in '76. [Editor's note: Dorson actually passed away in 1987.] Lottie now lives with her daughter, Lottie Field, Jr., in Los Angeles.

Albert never had any children. Couldn't take that country life and made his home in Kansas City, MO. Married a very nice person, Mable. Albert died at 35 years old, the youngest death in the family. He stayed away for 10 or 12 years before he came back home. I was quite young when he left. I didn't know him. He gave me a small gold watch which I treasured. He told me I was now a pretty girl. I was 18 years then. He really made me feel good about myself.

Albert Allen

Ellis and Louis were the only ones left in the country and after crop failure of cotton and rice Ellis left for New Orleans. He worked at the Boston Club. he used to send Mother money to help with the house. He was a very good brother. When I was in school in New Orleans he bought all my shoes and gave me money for lace and ribbon which I loved, and material so I could sew. He adored Mother. After a while he left New Orleans to seek a better way of life, to Texas where a favorite cousin Gus Joseph had left N. Orleans for the same reason. Ellis met Mable, a pretty girl, married and had 2 sons and 2 daughters; Ellis, Ernest, Elaine, and Audrey [editor's note: an older daughter of Mable's, Marguerite, was also raised by Ellis and Mable as their own]. Mable and I were good buddies. She used to tease me about my love life. She was quite a gal. After a short stay they left for Oakland, CA., where they both died. The 2 girls and Ernest were born in CA. Ellis, Jr. was born in Texas.

Mable & Ellis Allen

Louie, the youngest of the family, married very young, had 9 children; 7 daughters and 2 sons. Daughter of a mixed couple, Maria Abadie, she was a very pretty girl, very kind and easy to get along with. (Their) children; Marion, Louis, Jr., Marie, Lillian, Dorothy, Mae, Irene, Lois, and Roy or Johnny.

Speaking of brothers, George, he was married 3 times. First to Lottie's mother, Minett Mouton, next to Desire Fernandez and 3rd to Louise Breaud. He was never divorced. He had 3 sons and 1 daughter by his second wife Desire Fernandez; Herman, Lloyd, Frederick and Vivian. All live in Oakland, CA.

Desire Fernandez Allen

My oldest sister Emily went to New Orleans. She was a dressmaker. Her salary was very small but she would send money to help with us at home. She was married late in life to Dr. Raleigh Coker. No children but raised a young girl Antonia Bossier and educated her. She now lives in New Orleans and is retired from the B of Education. Emily helped so many nieces and nephews and all the family. When I was a little girl she used to tell me to be sedate. I wondered what that meant. I looked it up in the dictionary then I tried my best to act the part. She said protect the family name. I thought she meant to go out and fight, but I heard it so much, she said the Allens were high tone, aristocrats. You know it held all the way to the 4th generation.

Emily Allen Coker

She was quite a church worker. One of the first members of St. Katherine Church in New Orleans, which has now vanished.

Isabella the second daughter married Eli Loeouf [LeBeouf]. Of this union were 2 sons and 3 daughters; Anniebelle, Lucille and Juanita, Earl and Melville.

Isobel Allen LeBeouf Warnie (Aunt Belle)

Eli died and Belle later married Joe Marnie [actually Warnie]. Of that union were 2 daughters; Ruth and Josie. They now live in Ca. but were born in Louisiana. Belle was a darling sister, soft spoken and agreeable. My mother loved Melville. He was a sickly child. Joe Marnie [Warnie] used to pick on Melville. Earl had told him to leave him alone. So one day Earl and Melville cornered him in the old alleyway they had in N. Orleans and whipped him for a fair thee well. He left Mel alone from then on and became good friends.

Earl LeBeouf

Florence, the 3rd sister, was very emotional. She was married to Armand. Of that union were 3 sons and 1 daughter; Amie, Charles, Willie and Joseph. After father died she went to work in the rich peoples home and sent money to mother to care for us at home. She was almost a fanatic about her church. She instilled the faith in her family. Amie died young a very religious girl, beautiful. The sons are all good Catholics. Her husband was a tightwad. I bet he never paid his fare to enter heaven.

Florence Allen

Florence died in Tommy Loafon [correct spelling: Thomy Lafon] Nursing home in '69. Isabella died in 1959 in California.

Louise, the 4th daughter, was a very quiet person. She'd rather sew than eat. Everything would go undone as long as she could have some material to cut and sew. She had two daughters. She was married to Alex Gray. They were separated but never divorced. When he died his oldest daughters took care of him, Olga and Louise, Jr. Louise, Jr.'s oldest daughter, Helen Jean Leon took care of her grandmother all the time until she died in '73. She dearly loved her grandmother. She is one of my favorite nieces.

Celestine, the 5th daughter, was married to Louis Hymel. Of this union were 3 sons and 1 daughter; Warren, Edgar, Albert and Alice, all born in Louisiana. Warren died in Chicago, IL. She was a very happy go lucky person. You could always get a good laugh out of her jokes, a regular clown. She was also very religious÷that didn't stop her from having a good time. They both died in New Orleans. They had migrated there after the children were of school age.

Celestine Allen Hymel (Noon)

Alice the 6th sister was a devoted Catholic. She converted so many to the faith. She was a twin to brother Ellis. They had a certain attachment to one another. She converted her husband before she was married to him. Florestan [last name blanked out in the original]. Of this union was one daughter, Bernadine. She married and lived in Oakland, Ca where Ellis her twin brother's oldest daughter Elaine Allen Wilson took care of her until she died.

She (Bernadine) and her husband had separated, Robert Freeman. Alice was accidentaly killed by an automobile. She had a group of Catholic ladies learning the new hymns, when they got ready to leave, waiting outside, a young woman came to get her mother. Instead of backing up she pushed on the gas and ended my sister's life. She had worked so hard for her education. She had started a school after the parish term of 6 months for the colored had expired and taught until June with no pay, and on weekends would travel 60 miles for classes at Southern U in Baton Rouge. She completed her education and received her degree in education at the age of 70 years. The whole parish gave her praise and honor. When Whites saw what she had done, they built a lovely school building and gave the school children 9 months of schooling from 1st to 12th grades. She was principal until the age of 75. Her nieces and friends are teachers in St. Louis consolidated school today.

Leontine (Cutsy) [editor's note: pronounced cut-see], her nickname, was a very quiet person not very outgoing but would meet you halfway. She was married late in life. Her first marriage ended in divorce, her second was a successful union. She married Bertrand Conway, a very likeable person. They seem to have enjoyed a happy life. They lived in Detroit for over 35 years. Bert died in '67, Cutsy in '73. I loved them both. L.A. Bert, Cutsy and I were a foursome at the bridge table, poker, any game you name it. All three of them are gone. I only have their memories. Hopefully I'll meet them someday.

Leontine (Cutsy) Allen Conway

Cutsy was devoted to her church and to brother Louis' family and my oldest sister Emily. Bert and Cutsy were both born in Louisiana. They had no children.

Camille, the 8th daughter, born and raised in Louisiana. Went to country schools just 6 months until I was 13 years then would go to New Orleans in the fall for school. First at Daniel Hand, the parent elementary to Straight U, then in Straight. About 17 years old I contracted Malaria and had to abandon my schooling but I taught in the country school for quite a few years. We had to take classes so I really gained a lot from that experience.

I was not attracted to the boys until I was about 18 years. I thought I had met the love of my life but mother was able to show me the way he was not for me. I left the country with a half broken heart. I sewed by the day, enjoyed my work, lived with first one sister then another including my brother Sam. They used to call me butterfly. I had lots of girl and boy friends. I was on the go all the time but none of the guys meant too much to me. I had made my mind up I was going to spend the rest of my life with my mother and I used to tell her that all the time. That's why when I told her I was in love, she said she'd believe it when she sees it.

I had met Arlington at some time or other but he had left and I had not seen him or had any conversation with him. Honestly I didn't like him but the fellow I was dating in New Orleans used to tell me about his friend which was he. He said he knew me so when Lottie and Dorson were married his family had a reception for them in New Orleans when they came back from the country where they married and had an outdoor reception. So my friend asked me could he bring L.A. to the reception. I said that was great and he could be with Cutsy. We all had a good time at the reception. Cutsy and I were going home for the summer, the guys were going across the lake with the folks they were working for. They wrote us cards every week. I returned to New Orleans for the fall sewing season. Cutsy stayed in the country. She had a broken arm while skating. Arlington used to call. Sometimes he'd ask me to go to Church or to the show or sometimes just walk down St. Charles Ave. which was a custom. When I was not otherwise dated I accepted his invitation. I was so flighty, anything to be going. I began enjoying his company so September to December we were good friends. He had a steady girlfriend also. So Christmas, 1915 he came to see me after Church, brought me a box of candy. He said I'd like to talk to you. I sat next to him. He said, "You know I've made a decision. My friend and I agreed to disagree. So today I am asking you to be my girl." That was the beginning of our love affair. All of 1916 we were dating, sometimes up, sometimes down, because I hadn't given up the other friend and he enjoyed teasing L.A. They were both popular with the girls so you had to keep a whip over their heads. And having 7 sisters to learn from I was professional at keeping things going without losing either one.

About August 1916 Arlington broke the news to me he was planning to leave the South with a group of fellows. I was very upset. The 1st World War was on. He was in the draft, Class I, but he convinced me he would be back. We had not talked of marriage at this point. He left for Detroit full of hope but was very disappointed but never told me he was unhappy. We had a close correspondence. His letters were my life line.

I began thinking so many of the fellows had left and never came back. I had better get back to living and I wasn't as lonely as I had been. Writing to so many fellows in the service kept me going. When Christmas '16 came around he asked me to marry him and wrote mother asking if I could join him in Detroit. He was not financially able to come South and have a big wedding. Mother agreed to our plans. With Lottie and Dorsie in Detroit, she couldn't object. So, July 23, 1917 we were married at St. Peter Claver church on Beaublain and Elliot. Lottie, Dorson, Rose and Jack Willoughby Sr. and Lottie's landlady were the only guests in Church. Of this union were 2 sons and 2 daughters; Bernice, F. Arlington [Floyd, or Buddy], Jeanette and George Allen.

Bernice married Cornelius Henderson II, had 2 sons and 1 daughter: Cornelius Henderson III, Charles Arlington Henderson, Linda Camille Henderson.

F. [Floyd] married Marietta Pyles, Violet Wilson. Both ended in divorce. Married Wanda Smiddy. They are separated but remain good friends.

Jeanette married Dr. Welford Hill, had 1 daughter, Leslie Irene Hill, a lovely girl. They ended in divorce.

George Allen Jones married Leavata Reache. Of this union 1 son and 1 daughter; Michael A. Jones, Dolores Byrdie Jones (Dee), an adorable girl. They seem to have an enjoyable life.

Arlington died August 29, 1987. We were married 70 years one month and six days. We were never separated, only when on vacation. He was a devoted husband, father and lover. We had our ups and downs. We went to housekeeping when Bernice was 3 months old, at Milford and Hartford. We had a nice 5 room apt. We really enjoyed housekeeping, lots of company and visitors from the South. After 5 years at 6124 Hartford we bought our present home at 6574 Firwood. That was really home. Bernice was born at 63 Linden, Buddy and Jeanette on Hartford. Allen was born on Firwood. We had a happy home. My grandchildren loved coming to visit Gram and Daddy Arlington, the name my oldest grandson Butch gave him as soon as he could talk, and it stayed with him until death, and all the family.

Floyd (Buddy) and Allen were World War II veterans. Buddy was overseas and was in war zones and later sent to the S. Pacific, New Guinea, Hawaii and the Phillipines. Allen remained in the States. Butch was in the Vietnam war. Those were trying times for me, writing to the boys, trying to keep their spirits up. Buddy was having trouble with his first wife. She was a spoiled brat. I don't think she realized what she was doing but I like that girl.

When Butch came back he lived with us until he could get a place of his own. Chuck (Charles) couldn't get his life together and he lived with Arlington and I for over a year. he is one of my favorite people. He is so much like his grandfather. Very religious. He is very close to me. We share a lot of secrets. Ouida, his wife, is very close to me too.

Bernice, Jeanette, Allen and Buddy all went to Wingert Elementary, Northwestern High and Wayne U. Buddy attended Eastern, Xavier U, Columbus U. when he was in service. Jeanette received her masters from U of Michigan.

My father and mother bought a piece of property in St. James, Louisiana and built their home, raised 13 children. The house still stands in 1989. A nephew has renovated it. His father and mother raised 9 children in the same house. My mother and father both died in the old home; father in 1899, mother in 1948. First one niece or nephew occupied the old place. There were leases of oil on the place at different times but it never materialized although there was oil all around the area.

My father was a farmer. He raised sugar cane and all the needed for the whole family. Raised his own corn and horses. He was a chef cook, worked at the big sugar refineries when he was not on the boats. he was a hard worker and was hard on his boys.

Mother made the garden and raised the chickens and hogs and whatever she could do to raise that big family. She had an altar in the corner of the house with a holy water fountain, statues of white porcellan. We all had to dip our fingers in the water at night when we would say our prayers. Everybody's rosary hung next to the altar. We had community rosary. Our neighbors would come over at night and we'd pray the rosary, especially during Lent. Instead of eating potato chips or other snacks, we'd take salt with us to the garden, eat a cucumber off the vines, a carrot sometimes, a turnip or sometimes sit in the fig tree and eat figs.

Mother used to tell us about the battleships that would shoot their cannons during the war. She was only nine years old. These cannons would whiz over their heads. But they were not afraid. the soldiers would assure them they were setting them free. The colored people would flock to the riverbank where they could be seen.

When my father died my mother had 6 children under 16 years and my oldest brother's daughter she had raised from 6 weeks old. There was no insurance or bank account. She supported us from the sweat of her brow and help from the older children. She raised chickens by the hundreds, hogs, corn and all we needed for food. Of course there were farm implements, horse mule carts she could turn into cash and we had friends in the parish, black and white. One in particular I can remember Clairville Hymel. He would send loads of firewood, sweet potatoes and anything he thought would help for the winter. He was very rich and some of the family work[ed] in his home and after he died his wife continued his help. My older sisters and brothers went to work and helped as much as they could but wages were so small it was very little they could give but we survived.

Samuel and Albert left for the big city. So did my sister Emily. She was our number 2 mother. My sisters worked wherever they could find work and contributed all they could.

An Englishman, Esther Brooks. My mother was a sort of a nurse and she would help the family when there was sickness. My father being a veteran and lieutenant, this man wrote to Washington seeking a pension for mother which she got after years of trying÷$8 a month and $3 a month for each child and that came every three months. Those times were like Christmas. We thought we were rich. So did the neighbors because very little money they had. Our property had a forest of cypress trees that were cut in later years and she received a reasonable amount of money which she divided to the family who was around her instead of keeping it for her use. She was not a selfish person.

Arlington and I bought a home. The home on Firwood has been sold. I now live with my daughter, Jeanette. I consider myself very lucky to have 2 daughters and 2 sons to look out for me. L.A. left me financially well cared for with the small beginning in 1917.

God was with us all the way.